STS083-309-003 (4-8 April 1997) --- Astronaut Donald A. Thomas, mission specialist, checks a fresh delivery of messages from ground controllers onboard the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Columbia. The Thermal Impulse Imaging System (TIPS) is located on the mid deck of Columbia. Thomas, along with four other NASA astronauts and two payload specialists supporting the Microgravity Sciences Laboratory (MSL-1) mission were less than a fourth of the way through a scheduled 16-day flight when a power problem cut short their planned stay.
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